Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Announces New VP of Finance and Administration

February 05, 2007

Barbara Consler steps into newly created RPO position

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Barbara Consler as the new Vice President of Finance and Administration beginning Monday, February 19. This new position was created as a further investment in the infrastructure of the organization, which is part of the RPO’s strategic plan. Ms. Consler will be responsible for the establishment, interpretation and management of policies, procedures and guidelines for the successful financial and administrative operations of the orchestra.

“Barb brings a tremendously diverse background in finance, administration, non-profit and music to the RPO,” says Rick Nowlin, President and CEO. “She is a great ‘fit’ for us, and we’re looking forward to having her on board.”

A native Rochesterian and a resident of the city, Barbara Consler has over 20 years in Finance, Administration and Information Systems. She joins the RPO after five years as a Senior Financial Analyst at Thomson West, where she was responsible for budget planning, financial analysis and cost accounting, among many other duties. Prior to Thomson, Ms. Consler spent 18 years with Xerox corporation in Rochester and California in various positions including Systems Requirements Planner for National Credit Accounts Receivable, analyst for Customer Satisfaction/MIS, Program Manager at the Western Customer Administration Center and as Operations Controller for one of the largest offices of Xerox Business Services in San José, California.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and obtained her MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School, concentrating her studies in Accounting and Information Systems and Finance.

In addition, Ms. Consler is an accomplished pianist and professional choral singer. She has sung locally in various church choirs and performed on stage with local community theater groups. She has recorded with Madrigalia, Publick Musick and on Sony Classics with the Pacific Symphony and the Pacific Chorale in Southern California as part of a professional core of singers. She also has served on numerous non-profit boards including those of Madrigalia, Pittsford Musicals, the Rochester Bach Festival and Publick Musick, and for 10 years served as board Secretary for a private family foundation.

Now in its 84th season, the RPO inspires and enriches the community through the art of music. The Orchestra is passionately dedicated to outstanding musical performance at the highest artistic levels, and has a unique tradition of musical versatility, commitment to music education in the broadest sense and a deep and enduring engagement with the community. The RPO has been honored with the New York State Governor’s Arts Award, and two ASCAP awards for adventurous programming in recent years.

RPO performances are made possible in part with grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency; the State of New York; Monroe County; the City of Rochester; and American Airlines, the official airline of the RPO.

Note: A digital photo of Ms. Consler is available, as is an interview.